Treatment of the diseases of the eye, by means of prussic acid vapour, and other medicinal agents — John Shaqi
Treatment of the diseases of the eye, by means of prussic acid vapour, and other medicinal agentsTurnbull, Alexander
Science
Treatment of the diseases of the eye, by means of prussic acid vapour, and other medicinal agents
Turnbull, Alexander
Eye -- Diseases; Hydrocyanic acid -- Therapeutic use
MR. MONRO, aged 28, at No. 16, Featherstone Buildings, twelve years
ago, had violent inflammation, occasioned by the lash of a whip
striking the left eye, from which time he has been unable to see more
than the shadow of an object. He says that many have advised him to
submit to an operation for cataract, but others have recommended him
not to do so as long as one eye remained sound.
On the 16th of May, when he applied to me, I tried, as an experiment,
the vapour of the prussic acid, which was employed for about three
months. At the end of that time he could see different objects, and
discern countenances, when the other eye was closed.
Afterwards he went into the country, where he remained without using
any medicine. On his return to town, on the 18th of January, 1843 he
called upon me, when I found the eye was not improved in appearance.
He is now again under my care, and has had the vapour applied five
times. It appears to produce a very decided effect upon the vision. In
three or four parts the cataract appears as if it had been operated
upon with a couching needle.
This is a case of great interest, and it is impossible for any
unprejudiced person to doubt the great absorbent powers of prussic acid
in many diseases of the eye; but I am certain it will not be a general
remedy for lenticular cataract (unless employed in its incipient state)
without operation, unless aided by rupturing the capsule of the lens by
the needle first. Many are the cases where we want such a solvent power
after operations.
CASE 12.
_Amaurosis._
ANN WEEKS, of No. 19, Little Queen Street, aged 14, daughter of Thomas
Weeks, carman, 52, Great Wilde Street, has been blind in her right eye
since she was two years old. The left eye is unaffected. When two years
of age she was taken to an Ophthalmic Hospital, where various modes of
treatment were adopted for the recovery of the eye, until the month of
March, 1842, when she went to another Ophthalmic Hospital, where she
attended for six months, but received no benefit.
On the 16th of June the Rev. Peter Hall, of Long Acre Chapel, brought
her to me; and when examined in a strong light, with her face towards
the window, we could not perceive the slightest action of the pupil.
Mr. Hall and I tried her with a sheet of white paper, moving it before
her eyes several times, but she was perfectly unconscious of it. After
the eye was exposed to the vapour of prussic acid for a short time the
pupil acted slightly when exposed to light; and she was able, not only
to see the paper, but to take hold of it with her hand, and could walk
round the table when the left eye was shut. She continued the vapour
four or five times weekly for the space of six weeks.
When she left me the eye was so far recovered as to answer all ordinary
purposes of vision, although not quite equal to the other.
I have examined her to-day (Jan. 20, 1843), and find the improvement
continues.
CASE 13.
_Amaurosis._
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